BRACKNELL BEES coach Enio Sacilotto is confident that 6ft 4in new signing Scott Kirton will go a long way to providing his team with more physical presence on the ice next season.

The 15st 5lb Canadian-born winger brings size as well as experience to the team.

As well as playing for nine clubs in three different leagues - East Coast Hockey League, American Hockey League and International Hockey League - Kirton has had two previous spells in Britain.

Four years ago he made 40 appearances for Bees' Superleague rivals London Knights, while in 22 games for Findus British National League winners Dundee Stars last season, he notched up 18 goals and 14 assists, accumulating 53 minutes in penalties.

Bees netminder Brian Greer recalls Kirton at London as being ‘a really big, aggressive player who will help us a lot'.

And Sacilotto adds: "He's a big power forward with a nose for the net.

"I've said all along that I want to get the club bigger and stronger. But if Kirton could not play as well then I would not take him.

"We proved a couple of seasons ago that a small and quick team can compete - but you need grit as well.

"If you have a team of small guys who are soft than the chances are you are not going to do too well.

"When we played bigger sides like Ayr Scottish Eagles last season, we did better when we had Eric Bertrand in the line-up."

Kirton, who played under coach Tony Hand at Dundee, has also shown he has leadership qualities.

The season before last he captained Greenville Grrrowl in the ECHL, amassing 20 goals and 42 assists in 70 games.

"I realise the urgency of getting gritty, more aggressive players in," added Sacilotto, who is disappointed to have lost out on signing Ryan Bast, a 6ft 2in former Philadelphia Flyers defenceman.

It would have been a major coup had Bees' boss brought Bast to this country and there is no disgrace at being passed over for a National Hockey League club.

Bast, after icing for the most part in the AHL over the last five years, is now set for another shot at the top flight with NHL's Carolina Hurricanes,. who were beaten finalists in the Stanley Cup last season.

"I've had tough luck with defencemen," said Bees' boss. "I made Bast an offer in mid-June but he was waiting for qualifying offers and it now looks like he will be signing for Carolina Hurricanes."

Bees, though, have offers on the table to three other possible new recruits.

"One of them, I think, is 90 per cent certain to go to London," said Sacilotto. "The other two, both forwards, want to come but have offers with teams in Germany."

Bees have also confirmed the return of speedy winger Joe Ciccarello as the 10th member of their roster.

Ciccarello came out of semi-retirement last January to rejoin a Bees squad that, despite his best efforts, failed to win any of their last 18 league and play-off matches.

Sacilotto, though, said: "I thought after Christmas last season Joe was one of our best forwards. I am very happy that Joe will be back in a Bees uniform for the upcoming season. This will be his third season with the Bees, bringing us speed and skill that is second to none in the ISL."

FANS sitting behind the goals at the John Nike Leisuresport Complex will have to watch games through protective netting next season.

In the past the club have bowed to the wishes of spectators who have insisted that they would rather take their chances with flying pucks than have their viewing obscured.

But Bees have no choice now but to comply with the International Ice Hockey Federation's change to rule 106 which states - for protection of spectators, nets must be fitted in the end zones above the plexiglas.

The exact dimensions of the netting and the area to be covered are currently under discussion.

M Over-time losers next season will now receive one point after all.

Superleague officials have bowed to pressure from coaches, players and fans and reversed their decision not to award any points to teams beaten after the extra five minutes. Teams level after the regulation 60 minutes will now receive a point apiece, with overtime winners receiving a bonus point.

BEES' final group game in the Challenge Cup at home to BNL runners-up Coventry Blaze has now been scheduled for Sunday October 13.

The Superleague match originally due to be played on that day, at home to Nottingham Panthers, has yet to be rearranged.